Northern Telecom Limited

Other

Nortel Networks Corporation

Christopher R Cox

Jeffrey G Searle

Peter John Chrystie

Keith Roy Broome

Stuart James Dean

Stephen J Westlake

Stuart J Dean

A base station antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the totality of beams formed by the arrays provides a substantially omni-directional coverage in azimuth, azimuth and elevation beamforming means for each array, a plurality of r.f. transceivers each for transmitting and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls, switching matrix means for connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via the beamforming means, control means for controlling the switching matrix means whereby a particular transceiver is connected to a particular array via the beamforming means to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by one of the narrow beams.

Base station antenna arrangement

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the of beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means are provided for recognizing unique identifier signals (70; FIG. 6b) incorporated in call signals passing through the antenna; and coherent detection means for discriminating between unwanted call signals and wanted call signals using said unique identifier signals.

A smart antenna for a base station comprises a plurality of antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the totality of beams formed by the arrays provides a substantially omni-directional coverage in azimuth A plurality of r.f. transceivers is provided each for transmitting and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls, with switching matrix means for connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via beamformers. Each transceiver is connected by a switch matrix to a particular array to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by one of the narrow overlapping beams. Means are provided for selecting for a given call more than one of the best received signals from the multiplicity of narrow overlapping beams and the selected signals are combined to form a single receive signal input for the r.f. transceiver for the given call.

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the of beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means (54; FIG. 6a) are provided for independent adjustment of receiver gain and/or transmitter radiated power level of individual beams.

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means are provided for communication with a base station network whereby communication link means (77; FIG. 5) are provided for communication with a base station network whereby, in addition to telecommunications message traffic passing through the antenna, control and supervisory information can be exchanged between the antenna and the base station network.

Growing community of inventors

East Portlemouth, United Kingdom

Christopher R Cox